Machine for opening and filling cellophane bags



1366- 1954 M. w. SAWYER ET AL MACHINE FOR OPENING AND FILLING CELLOPHANEBAGS 4 Sheets-Shet 2 Filed Feb. 11, 1952 *Qx m a, Y, .m 3 W N M a $5 w mN m m M w m \M, \|.I m G 4 WWI II IJHI JT m E MR Q\ N m ms 5 W W Dec.21, 1954 M, w. SAWYER ETAL 2,697,543

MACHINE FOR OPENING AND FILLING CELLOPHANE BAGS Filed Feb. 11, 1952 4Sheets-Sheet s 1954 M. w. SAWYER ET AL 2,

MACHINE FOR OPENING AND FILLING CELLOPHANE BAGS Filed Feb. 11, 1952 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Z /6 (Iltomeg United States Patent G MACHINE FOR OPENINGAND FILLING CELLOPHANE BAGS Marshall W. Sawyer, Los Angeles, Calif.,Herman W. Wilson, In, Moscow, Idaho, and Reginald G. Kenway, LosAngeles, and John S. Overholser, Venice, Calif.; said Kenway and saidOverholser assignors to said Sawyer and said Wilson Application February11, 1952, Serial No. 270,968

12 Claims. (Cl. 226-49) The invention relates in general to machines forbagging various substances and is particularly useful in means forfilling bags with food products and closing and sealing these bags in anexpeditious manner. The invention relates in particular to a machine foropening and filling bags and for delivering the filled bags at aselected location. The invention is preferably used in conjunction withthe bag closing and sealing device shown in our co-pending application,Serial No. 223,178, filed April 27, 1951 for Machine for Closing andSealing. Cellophane Bags, but the invention may be used with otherclosing and sealing equipment or to supply filled bags to workers whoclose and seal the same by hand.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device having downwardlyprojecting bag-holding members which move from a bag receiving positionthrough a bag filling position to a discharge position and a simplemeans for placing the bags on the bag-holding members for securing themso that they will remain in place on the respective bag-holding membersduring the performance of bag expanding and filling operations.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means normallyautomatically delivering measured quantities of a product to thebag-holding members as they reach the bag filling position of the deviceand in addition thereto automatic means for rendering the productdelivery means inactive should a bag not be properly positioned withrelation to a bag holding member approaching the bag filling position.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device of thecharacter described having a bag feeding wheel operating in timedrelation to the movement of the bag holding members, this bag feedingwheel having means for engaging bags and carrying them to the respectivebag holding members, and means for delivering to the bag feeding wheelthe bags which are to be filled by the device.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device of thecharacter described having a turntable with a plurality of bag holdingmembers thereon, and

means for rotating the turntable so as to carry the bag holding membersthrough a plurality of positions and to provide in one of the positionsa bag expanding means of simple character and in another of thepositions a bag filler, there being means for stopping the operation ofthe turntable in the respective positions thereof, thereby relieving themechanism from the effects of back lash between the linkage whichconnects the turntable with the driving mechanism.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be, evident fromthe following part of the specification wherein we have described apreferred embodiment of the invention in detail for the purpose ofcompleteness of disclosure, without limiting the scope of the in ventiondefined by the appended claims nor limiting the range of equivalents towhich the claims are entitled.

Referring to the drawings which are for illustrative purposes only:

Fig. l is an elevational view of the invention incorporating also thehydraulic and compressed air systems by which parts of the device areactuated;

Fig. 2 is a plan view corresponding to Fig. 1, showing a portion of thefeed wheel in section;

Fig. 3 is. a partly sectioned elevational view, to enlarged scale, ofthe upper, rightward portion of Fig. 1;

Fig. is a perspective view of one: of the bags adapted to be opened, andfilled by the device;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan view looking, downward from the line 5-5 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary partly sectioned view showing to enlarged scaleparts of the initial bag feeding mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of Fig. 6, showingthe cam and stop members in position for the placement of the bag whichis to be fed to the feed wheel.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view arranged to show a planview of one of the bag gripping members;

Fig. 9 is a schematic view showing an electrical system and partscooperating therewith to prevent operation of the product delivery meanswhen a bag is not properly placed on a bag holder.

As shown in Fig. l, the device includes a primary bag feeder A arrangedto deliver bags to a bag feeding wheel B which sequentially places bagswhich are to be filled with a quantity, on bag holders comprisingfunnelmembers 10 which are supported by a bag conveyor arranged to carry thebags from a bag receiving position a through a bag inflating position bto a bag filling position c wherein each bag receives a quantity fromthe product delivery means D. The funnel members. 10- are respectivelyindicated by the numerals 10a, 10b, 10c and 18d. The bag conveyor Cmoves the bags from the filling position 0 to the releasing positions dwherein the mechanism automatically operates to release the bag from theconveyor C so that it may subjected to the operations of closing andsealing. The closing and sealing of the filled bags may be by hand ifdesired. However, the device disclosed herein is adapted to operate inconjunction with automatic bag closing and sealing means and in Fig. 1 achute 11 is shown aligned with the lower end of the bag 22d in the bagreleasing position a. so that when the bag is released it will drop intothe chute 11 and be thereby delivered to the bag closing and sealingmechanism.

The primary bag feeder A, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, includes a support12 having a pair of parallel bars 13 spaced apart horizontally andextending downwardly from left to right, shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 6.Between the bars 13 there is a downwardly sloping plate 14 to provide aslide on which an operator consecutively places bags which are to be fedinto the device. As shown in Fig. 6, a roller 15 is supported on a shaft16 in such position that its lower surface will be slightly above theplane defined by the slide plate 14. A shaft 17 is disposed below theshaft 16 and a small distance rightwardly thereof. This shaft 17 hasthereon cam members 18, between the side bars 13 of the support 12, eachof these earns 18 having, as shown in Fig. 6,. a curved cam surface 19preferably generated around the axis of the shaft 17. At the front endof the cam surface 19 there is a shoulder 20 arranged to lift againstthe lower surface of the roller 15 the rightward end portion 21 of a bag22 which has been placed on the slide 14 as shown in Fig. 6, in aposition wherein it lies between the roller and the cam 18. If the cam18 continues to rotate in clockwise direction from the position in whichit is shown in Fig. 6 it will cause the bag 22 to move rightwardlythrough a position indicated in the dotted lines 21'. Either the surfaceof the roller 15 or the cam surface 19 or both, is characterized byresiliency. In Fig. 6, I have shown the roller 15 as incorporating asurface layer 23 of rubbery material such as a rubber compound. The cam18 is so positioned with relation to the roller 15 that the bag 22 willbe caused to swing upwardly from the plane defined by the plate 14toward the lower peripheral surface of the bag feeding wheel B as shownby dotted lines 21'. As further shown in Fig. 6, when the shoulder 20 ofthe cam surface 19 engages the bag 22, a gripper finger carried by theperipheral portion of the wheel B positioned above and slightlyforwardly (rightwardly) of the rightward extremity of the bag 22. Owingto the counterclockwise rotation of the wheel B, the gripper finger 24moves rightwardly and for a portion of its rightward movement is aheadof the lip 25 of the bag 22, but, the speed of the cam 18 isproportioned with relation to the speed of rightward movement of thefinger 24, Fig. 6, to cause the lip 25 of the bag 22 to move into thegap 26 between the finger 24 and the surface of the wheel B so as to begripped by the finger. In Fig. l, the wheel B and the cam 18 are shownin positions of further rotation, with the bag 22 gripped by the finger24, with the leftward end of the bag 22 released from the roller 15 andthe cam surface 19 of the primary bag feeder, in order that continuedcounterclockwise rotation of the bag feeding wheel B will carry the bag22 into the position of the bag 22x which is being moved toward the bagsupport a in the bag receiving position a.

The feeding device A has stops 27 arranged to project above the plane ofthe slide plate 14 in a position rightwardly of the roller 15, and stops28 which are arranged to project through openings 29 in the rightwardportion of the plate 14 so that the upper portions thereof will extendabove the plane of the plate 14 leftwardly of the roller 15. The stops27, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 comprise pins which project upwardly fromthe rightward end of a lever 30 which is pivotally supportedintermediate its ends on a horizontal pin 31 extended between the sidebars 13. The stops 28 are mounted in upwardly projecting position in thelaterally expanded rightward end 32 of a lever 33 so that the stops 28will be disposed in straddling relation to the adjacent portion of thelever 30. The lever 33 is swung on a horizontal pin 34 positionedleftwardly of and below the forked leftward end 35 of the lever 30. Acompression spring 36 is arranged to urge the lever 33 upwardly so thatthe upper portions of the stops 28 will be moved into position above theplate 14. A link 37 connects a pin 38 carried by the lever 33 near theleftward end thereof, with the leftward end of the fulcrum lever 30. Theupper portion of the link 37 has an elongated slot 39 through whichpasses a pin 40 supported in a horizontal position by the leftward endof the fulcrum lever 30. A spring 41 disposed around the link 37 tendsto urge the leftward end of the lever 30 upwardly so as to carry the pin40 toward the upper end of the slot 39.

The rightward end of the lever 30 is bifurcated and carries a camfollower roller 42 arranged to engage the periphery of a cam 43 which isfixed on the shaft 17 and therefore rotates in clockwise direction withthe cam 18. The cam 43 has an arcuate surface 44 arranged to lift therightward end of the lever 30 during the time the cam surface 19 of thecam 18 is out of engagement with a bag or with the surface of the roller15. The cam 43, as shown in Fig. 6 has a radial recession 45 whichstarts just ahead of the shoulder 20 of the cam surface 19 and endssubstantially in alignment with the rear shoulder of the cam surface 19.This recession 45 permits a lowering of the stops 27 and a raising ofthe stops 28, as will be described with relation to Fig. 7.

In Fig. 7, the cam 43 is shown with its arcuate surface 44 in engagementwith the roller 42, to raise the rightward end of the lever 30 andproject the stops 27 above the plane of the plate 14. A bag 22, placedupon the plate 14 will slide rightwardly downwardly until the endthereof comes into engagement with the stops 27, the stops 28 being atthis time in retracted position effected by downward movement of theleftward end 35 of the lever 30 swinging the lever 33 downward when therightward end of the lever 30 is moved upward by the cam surface 44. Therightward portion of the bag 22 lies between the roller and the cam 18which is rotating in clockwise direction. When the front shoulder of thecam surface 19 reaches the roller 15, this shoulder 20 will engage thelower surface of the bag 22 and force the same upwardly into engagementwith the lower surface of the roller 15 and also bending the rightwardend of this bag 22 upward into a position above the stops 27, as shownin Fig. 6. At this time'the front end of the recession 45 is passingunder the roller 42, and as further clockwise rotation of the earns 18and 43 occurs the intermediate portion of the recession as shown at 45in Fig. 7, will engage the roller 42 permitting a lowering of therightward end of the lever from the position in which it is shown infull lines in Fig. 7, thereby retracting the stops 27 downwardly. Thelowering of the rightward end of the lever will raise the leftward endof the lever 30 to permit the spring 36 to urge the lever 33 upwardly soas to project the stops 28 from the position in which they are shown inFig. 7 to the raised position thereof indicated by dotted lines 28',above the plane of the plate 14 and obstructing the entrance of the camQuer mechanism so that in event that a bag is at this time placed uponthe plate 14, its rightward movement will be stopped by the stops in thepositions 28 thereof and the bag will be prevented from passing furtherrightward between the roller 15 and the cam 18. As further shown in Fig.7, the cam surface 19 will be in the position 19' when the recession 45is in engagement with roller 42 as indicated at 45', and the forwardportion of the bag which is being fed will be moving in the positionindicated by dotted lines 22. The rearward portion of the bag, lying tothe left of the roller 15, Fig. 7, will be deflected upwardly by thestops 28 when they move into the position 28. If a bag is placed on theslide 14 so as to rest against the raised stops 28 in the position 28,the subsequent lowering of the stops 28 into the position which they areshown in Fig. 7 will permit the bag to slide down into the position ofthe bag 22, against the raised stops 27.

The primary bag feeder A is driven through a chain 46 from the powertransmission system of the device so as to act in synchrony with othermoving parts of the device. This chain 46 drives a sprocket 47 fixed ona shaft 48, shaft 48 being carried by levers 49 which project downwardlyfrom the bar 13. A loop chain 50 runs over a sprocket 51, fixed on theshaft 17 which carries the cams 18 and 43, and a sprocket 52 which isfixed on the shaft 48, thereby turning the cams 18 and 43 in timedrelation to the movement of other parts of the device. The upper run ofthe loop chain 50 engages a sprocket 53 which is fixed on a shaft 54. Asshown in Fig. 2, a smaller sprocket 55 is connected to the sprocket 53so as to rotate therewith and a chain 56 connects this sprocket 55 witha larger sprocket 57 which is connected to the wheel B so that therotation of this wheel B will be in timed relation to the rotation ofthe earns 18 and 43, corresponding to the number of bag gripping means58. Four of the bag gripping means 58 are shown on the wheel B;therefore, the rotation of the cams 18 and 43 will be of four to oneratio to the rotation of the wheel B.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 6, each of the bag gripper means 58 comprises asquare bar 59 disposed in a radial opening in a flanged fitting 60secured in an opening 61 in the peripheral wall 62 of the wheel. Agripping finger 24 extends in trailing or clockwise direction from theouter end of each bar 59. Around the inner portion of each bar 59 thereis a compression spring 63 disposed between the inner end of theassociated fitting 60 and a washer 64 fixed on the inner end of the bar59. The springs 63 urge the bar 59 and the fingers 24 into rctractedpositions, or into closed or gripping positions of the fingers 24. Meansare provided for moving the fingers 24 outwardly into the position ofthe finger 24 in Fig. 6 wherein a gap 26 is formed between the finger 24and the adjacent portion of the fitting 60. This is regarded as the openposition of the gripping means. For this purpose levers 65 are providedmounted on hinge means 66 which are secured to the web 67 of the wheel Bin positions adjacent the inner ends of the bars 59. As best shown inFig. 2, each lever 65 has a transverse portion 68 which extends acrossthe inner end of the adjacent bar 59 and projects through an opening 69in the web 67 of the wheel B so as to project from the rear face of theweb 67. As shown in Figs. 1 and 6, a cam 70 is secured to the post 71which supports the wheel B in a position adjacent the primary bag feederA, this cam 70 having a spiral surface 72 which engages the end of thelaterally projecting portion of a lever 65 just prior to the time thatthe lever 65 reaches the position in which it is shown in Fig. 6,swinging the lever 65 downwardly so as to move the bar 59 and itsassociated finger 24 into open position. The cam surface 72 is so formedthat the lever 65 Will be maintained in depressed position, therebyholding the finger 24 in open position until the lever passes theshoulder 73 of the cam after which a spring 63 will retract the finger24 upwardly into bag gripping position as shown in Fig. 1. The bag 22,as shown in Fig. 4, has side walls 74 and 75 which are joined by gussets76. The side Wall 75 has a notch 77 which exposes a portion of the sidewall 74. The bags 22 are placed on the slide 14 with the side wall 75thereof facing downward in order that the side wall 74 will be facingupward and in order that the portion of the side wall 74 exposed by thenotches 77 will slide into the gap 26, Fig. 6, between the finger 24 andthe adjacent portion of the fitting 60 and be thereby gripped by afinger 24. Accordingly, as the bag 22, Fig. 1, moves from the positionin which it isshown in Fig. 1 toward the position of the bag 222:, it iscarriedonly by the. upper portion of the. side wall 7 1, and the sidewall. of the. bag may swing away from the side. wall 74. In other words,the mouth of the bag 22 may open while the bag is: gripped by the upperportion of the side walls 74 thereof- In Fig. l, the bag 22x is shownmoving toward the bag supporting member 10a in position a and toward theposition of the bag 2212' in Fig. 3 which is positioned on the bagholder 11 Each bag holder 10 comprises a conical funnel which convergesdownwardly and has the. lower end thereof contoured diagonally, an airnozzle 7&- is disposed in position a, Figs. 1 and. 3, above the. bagholder 10a so as to deliver a blast of air downwardly through theopening of the bag holder into the bag 22x, to spread the upper portionsof the. bag walls as the bag moves from the position of the bag 22x intothe position of the bag 22a, thereby enabling the movement of the bagonto the mouth of the funnel like bag holder 10. When the bag 22xreaches its uppermost limit on the bag holder 19.. Fig. 3, the continuedupward. movement of the bag gripping means 58 will slide the finger 24upward and off from the portion of the bag wall 74 which it engages.frictionally only with sufficient pressure to support and move the bagonto the bag holder 10.

The bag conveyor C includes a circular turntable 79 supported as shownin Fig. 3 at the upper end of a shaft 80 Which extends through avertical tubular shaft. housing. 81 and is supported for rotationtherein by hearing 82, Fig. 1, and the bearing 83, Fig. 3. C has aradial wall 84 with four evenly spaced openings 85 therein which receivethe upper ends of the funnel members 10a, 10b, 10c and 1061, Figs. 1 to3 and 9. These funnel members are consecutively moved through thepositions a, b, c and d as the result of the intermittent driving of theturntable 79 through angles of As shown in Fig. l, the shaft 80 isdriven through bevel gearing 86 from a primary drive shaft 87 whichextends from a powered drive mechanism 88 which is of a type to impartintermittent angular motion through the shaft 87 to the shaft 80. Thismechanism 88 includes a Geneva movement drive, details of which are notshown herein for the reason that drive mechanisms are generally old inthe mechanical arts. To the right of the turntable 79, Fig. 1, there isa second vertical tubular housing 89, having a vertical shaft 90rotatably supported therein arranged to be driven intermittently fromthe shaft 80 through bevel gearing 91 a transverse shaft 92 whichextends through an interconnecting tubular housing 93, and bevel gearing94. As shown in Fig. 3, the shaft 90 is arranged to drive a shaft 95through a clutch 96 comprising a sleeve 97 which is fixed on the upperend of the shaft 90, and a sleeve 98 which is vertically slidable on thelower end of the shaft 95 but has driving engagement with the shaft 95through a pin 99 which extends diametrally through the shaft 95 into avertically elongated slot 190 in the sleeve 98. Means of engagement areprovided in the clutch parts 97 and 98, shown as a projection 101extending downwardly from the vertically movable clutch part 98 arrangedto enter diametrally opposed notches 162 in the clutch part 97. Theprojection 101 may be in duplicate with the two portions thereofdiametrally opposed. For disengaging the clutch 96 a solenoid 103 isprovided having an armature 104 connected to the outer end of a fulcrumlever 105 which has a yoke 106 equipped with pins 107, as shown in Fig.9, which extend into a circumferential channel 108 in the verticallymovable clutch part 98 of the clutch 96. When the solenoid 103 isenergized, the projections 101 are lifted out of engagement with thenotches 102. Then, rotation of the clutch part 97 will carry the notches102. out of alignment with the projections 101 so that reengagement ofthe clutch cannot occur until the shaft 90 has made a half revolution.

At the upper end of the tubular housing 89 there is a stationarycircular plate 109 which forms a part of the quantity delivering meansD. The plate 109 has an opening 110, Fig. 3, from which a cylindricalchute 111 extends downwardly in the filling position 0 so that aquantity such as a measured amount of product, dclivered to the upperend of the tube or chute 111 will be delivered thereby into the bagholder 10c which in turn directs the quantity into the bag 220 which isheld thereon. Above the late 109 there is a rotary conveyor structurewhich carries the quantity from the lower end of a hopper This turntable112, Fig. l, to the chute 111, consisting of vertically spaced circularwalls 113 and 114 which are fixed on the upper end of the shaft 95 so asto rotate therewith, and two containers 115 between walls 113 and 114,spaced apart at. equal angles and having their upper and lower endsopen. A larger number of the containers 115 may be employed providingthe bevel gear sets 91 and 94 are of a composition to provide therequired driving ratio between the shafts 80 and 90. In the arrangementshown, the conveyor D will rotate through 180 when the turntable 79makes a quarter revolution. When the containers 115. are in thepositions in which they are shown in Fig. l, the right hand containerwill be filled from the hopper 1.12 and the left hand container willdischarge through the chute 111 into the bag which is supportedtherebelow.

Each of the bag holders 10 is accompanied by a bag gripper 116,pivotally supported on one of the four pairs of posts 113 which projectdownwardly from the lower face of the plate 84 of the turntable 79. Eachof these bag grippers 116 consists of a fulcrum lever 118 having at theouter end thereof ayoke 119 which, as shown in Fig. 8, has arms 120straddling the adjacent bag holder 16 and havin diametrally opposedinwardly faced resilient proiections 121 to engage diametrally oppositeportions of a bag against the adjacent surfaces of the funnel 10 whenthe bag gripper 116 swings from the position in which it is shown at116a in Fig. l to the posi tion 116s. The fulcrum levers 118 are swungon hinge 121 which project through the posts 117, and springs 121' areprovided for exerting continuous forces upon the fulcrum levers 113tending to move the yokes 119 thereof upwardly into positions whereinthe resilient knobs or projections 121" will engage the surfaces of thefunnels 10 or the portions of bags which are positioned on the funnel soas to lie between the projections 121" and the surfaces of the funnels10.

Means are provided for releasing the bag grippers 116 when they are inposition a and c, in order that when the bag 22x, Fig. l is movedupwardly onto the funnel 110 in the position a, the bag gripper 116awill be in released position and therefore will not interfere with theproper movement of the upper portion of the bag 22x onto the funnel 10,and so that each filled bag, when it reaches position 0 will be releasedfrom the funnel 10d on which it is supported and dropped into the chute11. The means for releasing the bag grippers 116 in position a comprisesa hydraulic actuator 122. A hydraulic actuator 123 is provided forreleasing the bag gripper 116 in position a. The actuators 122 and 123are identical, as indicated in Fig. 3. comprise each a plunger 124operating in a cylinder 125. The plunger 124 of the actuator 122 isarranged to engage a knob 125 on the fulcrum lever 118 or the actuator116 in position a and rotate such fulcrum lever 118 in counterclockwisedirection against the force of the associated spring 121, thereby movingthe bag gripper 116 into released position. Hydraulic valves 125 and 126are connected to the hydraulic actuators 122 and 123 through conduits127 and 128. These valves 125 and 126 are adapted to be actuated by cams129 and 130 so as to deliver fluid under pressure to the hydraulicactuators 122 and 123 in properly timed relation to the movement of thefunnels 10 into the positions a and b. The cam 129 is so formed that itcauses the hydraulic actuator 122 to release each bag grippers 116 priorto movement of a bag onto a funnel member 10 in position and to theneffect movement of the bag gripper into bag gripping position just priorto the start of movement of the turntable 79 to carry the gripped bagfrom position a to position b.

An upper annular brake ring 131 is secured to the lower ends of theposts 117 so that it will rotate with the turntable 79. A non-rotatingbrake ring 132 is disposed adjacent the lower face of the brake ring 131and a layer of brake lining 133 is disposed between the rings 131 and132., One side of the brake ring 132 is held in proximity to theadjacent portion of the brake ring 1131 by a stationary bracket 134,Fig. 3, and the opposite side of the brake ring 132 is adapted to beraised and lowered by a hydraulic actuator 135 which is connected to aconduit 136 with a valve 137 arranged to be operated by a cam 138. Thecams 129, 130 and 138 are operated in timed relation to the rotarymovement of the turntable 79 by a shaft 139 driven from the power source:38. The cam 138 is arranged to operate the valve 137 and deliverhydraulic fluid to the actuator 135, and to raise the lower brake ring132 into the position in which it is shown in Figs. 1 and 3 for a periodof time starting just prior to the time the turntable 79 comes to a stopand ending at the beginning of the subsequent rotary movement of theturntable 79. The brake thereby absorbs the momentum of the turntable 79as the intermittent driving mechanism 88 reaches the end of a drivingperiod, bringing the turntable 79 to a stop in a manner to relieve thetransmission mechanism from undue strain and wear. During a major partof the revolution of the turntable 79, the cam 138 actuates the valve137 so as to release fluid pressure from the actuator 135, and the brakering 132 is during this period of time in lowered position indicated bydotted lines 132' in Fig. 3.

In position b of the rotation of the turntable 79 there is a baginflating means 140 comprising an inverted cup 141 which obstructs theopening of the funnels 10 when they are in position (b), and means forsupplying air under pressure to the cup so that the compressed air willpass down through the funnel 10b into the supported bag, such as shownat 22b, Fig. 9, and expand the bag to maximum size, so that when the bagis moved into position a by the turntable 79 the product may flow freelyand completely thereinto. Compressed air is delivered to the invertedcup 141 through a conduit 142 from an air valve 143, Fig. 1, arranged tobe actuated by a cam 144 which is driven from the timing shaft 139, sothat compressed air will be supplied to the inverted cup when a bagholder moves into position below the cup 141. An air valve 145, actuatedby a cam 146 is arranged to deliver compressed air from the air supplypipe 147 through a duct 148 to the air nozzle 78.

The invention provides means for shutting off the bag filling operationin position when a funnel moves between position b and position 0without a bag properly positioned thereon. As shown in Figs. 2 and 9, abracket 150, which carries the cup 141 also supports an insulator body151 arranged to carry a flexible contact 152 in a position adjacent thepath of movement of the funnels 10 from position b to position c, and ina horizontal plane below the upper edges of the bags which are placed onthe funnels 10. For example, as shown in Fig. 9, a bag 22b properlypositioned on the funnel 10b'will have a portion thereof disposedbetween the spring contact 152 and the funnel 10b thereby preventingcontact between these parts. The spring contact 152 and the funnels 10bcomprise switch means for actuating the clutch releasing mechanism whena funnel 10 passes from position b to position 0 without a bag so heldthereon that the bag will prevent contact of the spring contact member152 with the funnel.

As further shown in Fig. 9, the turntable 79 is grounded and the springcontact 152 is connected through a relay 153 with a source of electricalcurre t 154, one terminal of which is connected to ground. The relay153, when energized, closes a switch 155 so as to complete a circuit 156adapted to connect the winding of the solenoid 103 with a source ofelectric current 107. Accordingly, when a funnel 10 passes from theposition b toward the position 0, without a bag thereon, or with a bagimproperly placed. the relay 153 will energize the solenoid 103 so as tolift the movable clutch part 98 whereupon the notches 102 will becomedislined with the projections 101. The clutch 96, therefore, will remaindisengaged until the shaft 90 passes through a half revolution. and thequantity conveyor D will remain inactive so that a filled container 115will not move into communication with the upper end of the chute 111when the unbagged or improperly bag ed funnel 10 is aligned with thelower end of the funnel 111.

We claim:

1. In a bag opening and filling device: a downwardly faced bag holderadapted to receive the upper portion of a bag on its downwardlyextending portion; means operable to move said bag holder from a bagreceiving position to a bag filling position; a bag feeding meanscomprising a member rotatable around a horizontal axis disposed adjacentsaid bag receiving position, said bag feeding means having a bag gripperon the outer portion of said member which moves upwardly through anarcuate path which passes along a side of said bag holder in said bagreceiving position, and means operating to direct a fiow of air so as toopen the mouth of said bag as the bag approaches said bag holder so thatthe mouth of said bag will pass onto said bag holder as said bag grippermoves past the same; bag engaging means operating to hold the bag onsaid bag holder while the bag holder is moved from said receivingposition into said filling position; and filling means for delivering aquantity through said bag holder into said bag.

2. In a bag opening and filling device: a downwardly faced bag holderadapted to receive the upper portion of a bag on its downwardlyextending portion; means operable to move said bag holder from a bagreceiving position to a bag filling position; a bag feeding meanscomprising a member rotatable around a horizontal axis disposed adjacentsaid bag receiving position, said bag feeding means having a bag gripperon the outer portion of said member which moves upwardly through anarcuate path which passes along a side of said bag holder in said bagreceiving position, and means operating to direct a flow of air so as toopen the mouth of said bag as the bag approaches said bag holder so thatthe mouth of said bag will pass onto said bag holder as said bag grippermoves past the same; bag engaging means operating to hold the bag onsaid bag holder while the bag holder is moved from said receivingposition into said filling position; filling means for delivering aquantity through said bag holder into said bag; and bag inflating meansto apply air pressure through said bag holder to the interior of saidbag only during the time it is being moved from said bag filling to saidbag receiving position to inflate the bag prior to the time it reachessaid bag filling position.

3. In a bag opening and filling device: a downwardly faced bag holderadapted to receive the upper portion of a bag on its downwardlyextending portion, said bag holder having a filling openingtherethrough; means operable to move said bag holder from a bagreceiving position to a bag filling position; means for placing the bagon said bag holder; bag engaging means operating to hold the bag on saidbag holder While the bag holder is moved from said receiving positioninto said filling position; filling means for delivering a quantitythrough said bag holder into said bag, said filling means having a conveyor member moving to carry said quantity to the filling opening ofsaid bag holder in timed relation to the movement of said bag holderinto said filling position; means operating to stop movement of saidconveyor member independently of the movement of said bag holder towardfilling position in consequence of a bag not being properly placed onsaid bag holder; and means operating after the bag has received saidquantity, to release said bag engaging means to effect removal of saidbag from said bag holder. 7

4, In a bag opening and filling device: a downwardly faced bag holderadapted to receive the upper portion of a bag on its downwardlyextending portion; means operable to move said bag holder from a bagreceiving position to a bag filling position; means for placing the bagon said bag holder; bag engaging means operating to hold the bag on saidbag holder while the bag holder is moved from said receiving positioninto said filling position; filling means for delivering a quantitythrough said bag holder into said bag, said filling means comprising aconveyor having a moving compartment arranged to carry said quantity tosaid bag holder; a clutch arranged to drive said conveyor; and meansoperating to disengage said clutch in consequence of said bag holderapproaching said filling position without a bag properly placed thereon.

5. In a bag opening and filling device: a downwardly faced bag holderadapted to receive the upper portion of a bag on its downwardlyextending portion, said bag holder carrying an electrical contact meanspositioned so that a portion of a bag on said bag holder will cover saidcontact means; means operable to move said bag holder from a bagreceiving position to a bag filling position; means for placing the bagon said bag holder; bag engaging means operating to hold the bag on saidbag holder while the bag holder is moved from said receiving positioninto said filling position; filling means for delivering a quantity intosaid bag; an electrical contact supported along the path of movement ofsaid bag holder from said bag receiving position to said bag fillingposition, said contact being arranged to engage said contact means whenit is uncovered; an electric circuit including said contact and saidcontact means; electrically controlled means acting under control ofsaid electric circuit to inhibit operation of said filling means inconsequence of said bag holder moving to said filling positionunoccupied by a bag; and means operating after the bag has received saidquantity, to release said bag engaging means to effect removal of saidbag from said bag holder.

6. In a bag opening and filling device: a downwardly faced bag holderadapted to receive the upper portionof a bag on its downwardly extendingportion, said bag holder carrying an electrical contact means positionedso that a portion of a bag on said bag holder will cover said contactmeans; means operable to move said bag holder from a bag receivingposition to a bag filling position; a bag feeding means rotatable arounda horizontal axis disposed adjacent said bag receiving position, saidbag feeding means having a bag gripper which moves through a path whichpasses along a side of said bag holder in said bag receiving position,and means operating to open the mouth of said bag as the bag approachessaid bag holder so that the mouth of said bag will pass onto said bagholder; bag engaging means operating to hold the bag on said bag holderwhile the bag holder is moved from said receiving position into saidfilling position; filling means for delivering a quantity into said bag;an electrical contact supported along the path of movement of said bagholder from said bag receiving position to said bag filling position,said contact being arranged to engage said contact means when it isuncovered; an electric circuit including said contact and said contactmeans; and electrically controlled means acting under control of saidelectric circuit to inhibit operation of said filling means when saidbag holder moves to said filling posi tion unoccupied by a bag.

7. In a bag opening and filling device: a downwardly faced bag holderadapted to receive the upper portion of a bag on its downwardlyextending portion; means operable to move said bag holder from a bagreceiving position to a bag filiing position; bag engaging meansoperating to hold the bag on said bag holder while the bag holder ismoved from said receiving position into said filling position; fillingmeans for delivering a quantity into said bag, said filling meanscomprising a conveyor having a moving compartment arranged to carry saidquantity to said bag holder; a clutch arranged to drive said conveyor;and means operating to disengage said clutch in consequence of said bagholder approaching said filling position without a bag properly placedthereon.

8. In a bag opening and filling device: a downwardly faced bag holderadapted to receive the upper portion of a bag on its downwardlyextending portion; means operable to move said bag holder from a bagreceiving position to a bag filling position; a bag feeding meansrotatable around a horizontal axis disposed adjacent said bag receivingposition, said bag feeding means having a bag gripper which movesthrough a path which passes along a side of said bag holder in said bagreceiving position, and means operating to open the mouth of said bag asthe bag approaches said bag holder so that the mouth of said bag willpass onto said bag holder; a support for the unopened bag adjacent saidpath at a point spaced from said bag receiving position of said bagholder, means for moving the bag from said support into engagement withsaid gripper comprising a roller disposed above said support and alifting member operating in timed relation to the movement of said baggripper and being arranged to rise therethrough said support and movethe bag which has been placed on the support into engagement with saidroller to lift the bag, move it forwardly and effect engagement of saidbag with said gripper; bag engaging means operating to hold the bag onsaid bag holder while the bag holder is moved from said receivingposition into said filling position; and filling means for delivering aquantity into said bag.

9. In a bag opening and filling device: a downwardly faced bag holderadapted to receive the upper portion of a bag on its downwardlyextending portion; means operable to move said bag holder from a bagreceiving position to a bag filling position; a bag feeding meansrotatable around a horizontal axis disposed adjacent said bag receivingposition, said bag feeding means having a bag gripper which movesthrough a path which passes along a side of said bag holder in said bagreceiving position, and means operating to open the mouth of said bag asthe bag approaches said bag holder so that the mouth of said bag willpass onto said bag holder; a support for the unopened bag adjacent saidpath at a point spaced from saidbag receiving position of said bagholder, and means for moving the bag rrom said support into engagementwith saidgripper comprising a roller disposed aoove said support andawheel segment rotating on an axis below said roner and in timedrelation to the movement of said gripper, so as to rise relative to saidsupport and move the nag which has been placed on the support intoengagement with said roller and then to said gripper so as to cited:engagement of said bag with said gripper; bag engaging means operatingto hold the bag on said bag holder whne the oag holder is moved fromsaid receiving position into said fining position; and filling means fordelivering a quantity through said bag holder into said bag.

10. In 'a bag opening and filling device: a downwardly faced bag holderadapted to receive the upper portion of a bag on its downwardlyextending portion; means operable to move said bag holder from a bagreceiving position to a bag filling position; bag feeding meansrotatable around a horizontal axis disposed adjacent said bag receivingposition, said bag feeding means having a bag gripper which movesthrough a path which passes along a side of said bag holder in said bagreceiving position, and means operating to open the mouth of said bag asthe bag approaches said bag holder so that the mouth of said bag willpass onto said bag holder; a support for the unopened bag adjacent saidpath at a point spaced from said bag receiving position of said bagholder; means for moving the bag from said support into engagement withsaid gripper comprising a roller disposed above said support and alifting member operating in timed relation to the movement of said baggripper and being arranged to rise relative to said support and move thebag which has been placed on the support into engagement with saidroller and effect engagement of said bag with said gripper, a limitingstop on said support, and means operating in timed relation to themovement of said lifting member to shift said stop out of its limitingposition; bag engaging means operating to hold the bag on said bagholder while the bag holder is moved from said receiving position intosaid filling position; and filling means for delivering a quantitythrough said bag holder into said bag.

11. In a bag opening and filling device: a downwardly faced bag holderadapted to receive the upper portion of a bag on its downwardlyextending portion; means operable to move said bag holder from a bagreceiving position to a bag filling position; a bag feeding meanscomprising a member rotatable around a horizontal axis disposed adjacentsaid bag receiving position, said bag feeding means having a bag gripperon the outer portion of said member which moves upwardly through anarcuate path which passes along a side of said bag holder in said bagreceiving position and means operating to direct a flow of air so as toopen the mouth of said bag as the bag approaches said bag holder so thatthe mouth of said bag will pass onto said bag holder as said bag grippermoves past the same; bag engaging means operating to hold the bag onsaid bag holder while the bag holder is moved from said receivingposition into said filling position; filling means for delivering aquantity through said bag holder into said bag; emergency means adaptedto inhibit the operation of said filling means when said bag holdermoves into said filling position without a bag properly positionedthereon, said emergency means having a part positioned between said bagreceiving position and said bag filling position arranged to engage bagsas they are moved on said bag holder between said positions, and meansconnected to said part and responding when said bag holder moves fromsaid bag receiving position to said bag filling position so as toinhibit the filling operation; and bag inflating means to apply airpressure through said bag holder to the interior of said bag to inflatethe bag prior to the time it receives said quantity.

12. In a bag opening and filling device: a turntable arranged to rotateon a substantially vertical axis; a downwardly faced funnel member onsaid turntable adapted to receive the upper portion of a bag on itsdownwardly extending portion; means operable to rotate said turntable soas to move said funnel member laterally from a bag receiving position toa bag filling position; bag engaging means for holding said bag on saidfunnel member comprising a member movably disposed on said turntable ata side of the funnel member and having at least one part which movestoward the funnel member so as to grip the bag against a part of thefunnel member, means for moving said member toward said funnel member ina bag receiving position and away from said funnel member, so as torelease the bag from the funnel member, after the bag has been filled insaid filling position; filling means for delivering a quantity throughsaid funnel member into said bag, said filling means having a conveyormember arranged to carry said quantity to said funnel member in timedrelation to the movement of said funnel member into said fillingposition; and means having a control part positioned between said bagreceiving position and said bag filling position operating to stop saidconveyor member in consequence of a bag being improperly placed on saidfunnel member.

References Cited in the file of this patent Number UNITED STATES PATENTS

